A little bumblebee beanie for the "sweet bee" preemies!
Summer is just about here! Bumblebees came to mind when I was brainstorming summery preemie beanie ideas, and I'm pretty happy with how these turned out! This pattern is pretty simple, using double crochets for the body of the beanie, and then we add a shell border at the bottom using half-double crochets.
There are quite a bit of color changes to create the yellow and black stripes, so try to crochet over the yarn ends in the next round to avoid having to weave in 3000 ends when you're finished!
The antennae are made by making a short I-cord, then placing a bobble stitch at the very top. Attach them, and you're done!
For this design, you'll just need some yellow and black yarn, a 4 mm crochet hook and a tapestry needle.
Hope you enjoy this pattern and are inspired to crochet some Sweet Bee Preemie Beanies for a NICU near you!
SWEET BEE PREEMIE BEANIE CROCHET PATTERN
Materials:
1 skein of each yellow & black lightweight cotton or baby acrylic yarn (
I used Hobbii Rainbow Cotton 8/8 in Black and Pastel Yellow - available here: https://hobbii.mvk.co/2hbjk )
4 mm crochet hook
Tapestry needle
Abbreviations:
St = stitch
Ch = chain
Sl St = slip stitch
Sc = single crochet
Hdc = half double crochet
Dc = double crochet
Note: This pattern is worked in joined, unturned rounds. At the end of each round, Sl St to the top of the first St in the round to join, but do not turn.
Beanie
Round 1: With black yarn, Ch 3. 10 Dc in the 3rd Ch from hook. Sl St to the top of the first Dc in the round to join. Tie off black yarn.
Round 2: Attach yellow yarn with a Sl St. Ch 1. 2 Dc in each St around. At the the end of the round, Sl St to the top of the first Dc in the round to join. Tie off yellow yarn.
Round 3: Attach black yarn with a Sl St. Ch 1. *2 Dc in the first St, 1 Dc in the next St* around. At the end of the round, Sl St to the top of the first Dc in the round to join. Tie off black yarn.
Round 4: Attach yellow yarn with a Sl St. Ch 1. *2 Dc in the first St, 1 Dc in the next 2 St* around. At the end of the round, Sl St to the top of the first Dc in the round to join. Tie off yellow yarn.
Round 5: Attach black yarn with a Sl St. Ch 1. 1 Dc in each St around. At the end of the round, Sl St to the top of the first Dc in the round to join. Tie off black yarn.
Round 6: Attach yellow yarn with a Sl St. Ch 1. 1 Dc in each St around. At the end of the round, Sl St to the top of the first Dc in the round to join. Tie off yellow yarn.
Round 7: Attach black yarn with a Sl St. Ch 1. 1 Dc in each St around. At the end of the round, Sl St to the top of the first Dc in the round to join. Tie off black yarn.
Round 8: Attach yellow yarn with a Sl St. Ch 1. 1 Dc in each St around. At the end of the round, Sl St to the top of the first Dc in the round to join. Tie off yellow yarn.
Round 9: Attach black yarn with a Sl St. Ch 1. 1 Sc in each St around. At the end of the round, Sl St to the top of the first Sc in the round to join.
Round 10: *Skip 1 St, 4 Hdc in the next St, Skip 1 St, Sl St in the next St* around. This creates the shell border. Tie off black yarn and weave in ends.
Antennae (make 2)
With black yarn, make an I-cord approximately 3 cm long. If you're unfamiliar with the I-cord technique, here is a quick tutorial by Bella Coco Crochet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o97aBEJ4Mto
Note: When making your initial slip knot, be sure to leave an 8'' tail for assembly.
When your I-cord is approximately 3 cm long, yarn over and pull through all loops on your hook.
In the top of the I-cord: *Yarn over, insert your hook into the top edge of the I-cord and pull up a loop. Yarn over, pull through the first two loops on your hook* 5 times total. Yarn over and pull through all loops on your hook. Ch 1. Tie off.
Assembly
Using a tapestry needle and the remaining yarn end, secure both antennae to the beanie at round 3 with a few whip stitches. Tie off and weave in ends.